The Ring of Power has been destroyed and Middle Earth has entered into the 4th Age. King Elessar and Queen Nauriel rule Gondor and for several years Middle Earth has been without conflict. But that time of peace has now come to an end.

He just gave her a smile. “I know...now kiss me and tell me that you love me woman,” he said loud enough for others to hear. “My family will be checking up on you from time to time I think. You should have just agreed to stay with them while I’m gone...no cooking?” He said as if trying to tempt her. “I will miss you Calista, and the days will pass quickly,” he told her.

After she was done with him his sisters crammed in to tell him to be careful. Reiterating that he was their ‘only’ brother and they each took turns kissing his cheeks. He waved them away finally and the party of 8 stepped away as a group as they made their way Eastward out of the city.

It had rained but only slightly on the first day. There was fog though the next morning and they could only move half as fast as they wanted to. They reached the gates of the ruined city after the 4th day and the pale, green glow that the city was reportedly bathed in constantly was no longer there. Just beyond the gate though they encountered several orcs and goblins. They had not expected them and so their first fight went extremely well. After that though the orcs knew they were there. Luckily most, especially the cowardly goblins fled when they saw them. Orren, a young soldier that was recently married like Eldarion was shot by a goblin in the leg but other then that they had not taken any real injury as a group.

The city was for the most part, a shattered ruin version of Minas Tirith. That and it stunk of orc feces and of death. They set two guards for each watch and had 3 watches so one group of two rested through each night and that alternated each day. There was very little to report besides ruined buildings, rubble, filth, orcs, goblins and little else. Eldarion did manage to find an old, tattered book titled; ‘A Treatise Of, The War of the Last Alliance’ And he put it in his pack to give to Calista as a Souvenir. After the 8th day, they only had one more day before they were due to begin to head back a Troll came across them in the night and it took all of them to defeat it though he saw several men go down and his group became separated in the fighting when two men ran. Now with three injured and two missing Eldarion sent one man to escort the three injured out while he and Jorgren, they were friends looked for the two that fled.

After the day that the scouting party was supposed to return came and went, Dana, Orren’s wife came to Calista’s house to ask her if she had heard anything. She was young like Calista, with large hazel eyes, long, nut brown hair, just as thin and today she wore a simple, green dress and a golden locket she fingered often. As soon as Calista opened the door she started in with, “Have you heard anything? I tried to speak to Marin, but they’re all busy with training,” she said quickly, a very worried look on her face.

Calista worried every minute of everyday about Eldarion and the rest of the group. She tried to take her mind off of it by visiting with family and friends, but he was always in the back of her mind. She hoped he wasn't hungry or hurt...or worse. No news came and she prayed that meant that they were alright. Going to bed without him was difficult. She hugged his pillow and breathed in his scent.

She could noted down the days until they were supposed to return and that day she stood outside were she could see for miles, but they never arrived. She cried herself to sleep that night, but hoped that they had only been delayed. The next day Dana came over and both women tried to comfort each other. She sighed a little and shook her head when she asked her if she had heard anything.

Dana stayed for a little while longer then left feeling somewhat better than when she arrived. On the morning of the second day she had not come and in the mist of the morning Calista would not see anyone or anything move even at the distances she could see from where their home was, high up within the city. That afternoon she was visited by Calene and Arina who brought her freshly baked bread and strawberries as well as a small cannister of mulberry tea that Eldarion loved.

“They are...overdue but father has said that that is common, especially when there has been fog like this. Do not be alarmed Calista,” Calene said comfortingly. “Our brother knows what he is about when it comes to being sneaky,” Arina said jokingly though Calene glared at her and tried to hide her doing it from Calista.

That night Calista didn't sleep. She stayed up pacing back and forth in their rooms trying not to cry. Early the next morning she dressed and walked back up to the highest point to see if she could see any signs of them...but once again there was nothing. That afternoon Calene and Arina came to visit her and tried to reassure her that everything was going to be alright. She was quiet and only nodded. After they left she put on her cloak and went to the stables. She saddled her horse and then rode out of the city and in the direction she knew they would be coming.

Calista knew she could only go as far as Osgiliath. From there they would be ferried across by boat and in any case once she approached a rider from the city that was in full swing of being rebuilt, rode toward her to address her presence. Civilians, it was easy for them to tell she was a woman, would not be allowed in the city. Men would be needed to watch over them and none could be spared for that so the standing orders were that only those required for the rebuilding would be allowed in for now.

“Ho there,” the soldier shouted as he rode up beside her. “None may pass into the city mylady,” he said loud enough for her to hear. “Please turn back, no civilians are allowed here save those with writs of authorization,” he said then he tilted his head as he looked at her. “Ho, you’re the wife of Eldarion...uh, mylady Calista?” he asked unsure if he got her name right.

Calista rode towards Osgiliath. She hoped that along the way she would spot them coming towards her and when she spotted the soldiers she hopes were raised briefly, until she realized it was not them. Her heart sank even lower and she felt herself becoming upset. She tried to remain strong in front of the soldiers, but was close to breaking down.

“Yes, I am Calista, Prince Eldarion’s wife. He and the rest of the scouting party have not returned. Has there been any sign of them?”

The soldier shook his head as if he himself was disappointed. “No! And the King himself has a watch set In case there is sign of them,” it was then he saw her face and he silently berated himself. He perched up higher in his saddle. “Now don’t you worry my lady, most scouting forays go long, Eldarion knows what he is about. You are welcome to stay as long as ye like. If you wish ta come with me, I’ll assign a man to ye if you come into the city?” He asked. It was then that there was a loud bell that rang and several men shouted from the bridge above.

“Well now, it appears they’ve seen the patrol…come with me my lady, we’ll get you to the prince,” he told her then led her in.

The city of Osgiliath was a mess. A mass of rubble and stone but also of wood climbing frame and signs of rebuilding. Men pounded and sawed and chiseled away up above them as the rode through. At the river, 3 tired and wounded men were being helped off of the boat. She recognized them and one was Orren. They were all covered in dirt, blood and grime. Eldarion nor the others however were nowhere she could see.

Calista looked completely devastated. She had been hoping for some good news...any to lift her spirits. All sorts of thoughts ran through her head about what might have happened to Eldarion. However, she quickly told herself that she was being silly and that he was perfectly alright. She was going to give him a very good talking to when he got home! She was about to agree that she wanted to come into the city when she suddenly heard the bell ringing. Her hopes rose to such a high degree that she almost felt giddy as she followed the soldiers over to where she thought she would be greeting her husband. However, as she approached the river she saw one boat and only three men...none of which were Eldarion. The three men that she did see, including Orren, were injured and panic quickly filled her heart.

Looks flinched away from her eyes as she began to ask after Eldarion. They saw the worry and the fear. It was Orren who removed his helmet then limped toward her though his eyes were cast down and he was obviously hurt. A thick, bloody bandage covered his thigh.

“Mylady, he went after the two that panicked when the troll came fer us. He would nay leave a man he said as he and Jorgren took afer em an bid us four ta get out...Folgam he did die in the boat,” he said and turned briefly to look back at them as they pulled him out. To her it looked as if half of his skull had been crushed and the bandage that covered his face was soaked in blood. He turned back to her. “Last I sar em though, he not ave a scratch on em an he took that troll square in the eye with his sword he did. Then he took off in a run with Jorgren afer Halzy and Sal. Take heart mylady, Eldarion has the luck and any man with such be difficult to kill if’n is courage hold an that one had enough fer us all...mylady,” he said roughly.

Calista couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down her cheeks as she listened to Orren tell her what had happened. Even though when Orren had last seen Eldarion he had been alive, she still feared for him after seeing what the troll had done to the others. She finally managed to get herself more under control and she turned to look at the soldier who had first spoken to her.

“I will be remaining in the city until Eldarion returns. Please find me a room.”

They only had a few rooms that were actually livable but their commander, Commander Tiesdle, gave his own up for her and then he took the next man’s down and that’s how it went down the line. That evening they had brought her a tray of food, beef stew that smelled like it had alot of pepper in it and a large crust of bread and a white cheese that smelled sharp. The soldier that brought it also gave her a skin of red wine, a decent vintage she could tell by its smell, probably meant for the Commander whose room she had taken. As the day progressed there still had been no sign though the boat had been cleaned and sent back across in case they did show. They allowed her to tend the watch with them and all gave her respectful nods when they passed by her and all whispered to one another instead of spoke as they normally would. As the last of the sun dipped down below the western horizon they brought the boat back over and posted guards on the city side of the river.

It was the bell that she had awakened to. It clamoured loudly in the misty dusk of the morning. Men shouted and she saw that she had slept in her clothes and completely surprised that she had slept at all. As Calista ran outside onto the bridge she’d see a very filthy Eldarion holding a man in his arms and two others, their shoulders hunched right on his heels. Before she could get far the boat had already began to be rowed across and Eldarion looked up at her and he even had the audacity to grin and wave at her. It would be to far for her to know he was grinning but she knew he would be! She saw him hand over a man and he and the other 2 got in the boat.

Calista was grateful for the hospitality she received. The room she was given wasn’t very large, but it was clean and had a clean bed. She was quite hungry and ate what food was brought to her. As several days passed she spent the hours watching the river for any signs of Eldarion. She held onto whatever hope she had left, but was starting to consider taking a boat and crossing the river herself to find him.

She wasn’t sure how long she had slept, but she was awoken that morning by the sound of the bell ringing. She practically leapt out of the bed, not caring that her clothes were rather wrinkled. She rushed outside and was overjoyed when she saw Eldarion. She missed being able to get onto the boat that was going to collect them and so she was forced to wait. He was filthy looking, but appeared uninjured. However, that did not make up for the fact that she simply waved to her as if nothing at all had happened. She waited for the boat to come back across and she immediately marched up to Eldarion. She slapped him hard across the face before grabbing him and kissing him deeply.

Her full arm slap hurt but he only accepted it. The embrace and kiss, a very deep kiss that followed the twinge on his face from the slap had surprised him. He kissed her back, grime, dirt and all. Finally he broke their kiss to look at her. “Sorry I was late for dinner, I hope it was something that could keep?” he said as if he had not a care in the world. With her in his arms he felt as if he had none. “I would ask you to return home and wait for me, I have to be debriefed but your eyes tell me that that just won’t do,” he said as he kissed her again. He reached up and touched her face gently and smiled warmly at her.

“Sergeant,” he said not taking his eyes away from hers. “Aye sir?” A man responded behind her. “Let the commander know I’ll be back tomorrow, first thing,” he said plainly. “Aye sir,” the man replied. “Take me home,” he whispered.

Calista was overwhelmed with emotions. She was relieved to the point of wanting to cry, angry, and extremely happy to see him. It irritated her somewhat that he acted as if none of this was a big deal. However, she was glad that he was going to be coming home with her instead of trying to send her home alone while he remained there. They took their horses and headed back to Minas Tirith.

He washed, it was the first thing he wanted to do. He asked Calista to heat up enough water to make the bath hot enough for him to just soak in it for a while. He was surprised when she joined him to...help wash his back. She took charge of making sure more than his back was clean but he enjoyed her ‘assistance’ very much. In the tub she just laid up against his chest and she felt...wonderful was all he could really come up with. He touched her breasts, her stomach and her thighs as he kissed her neck and shoulders.

“I’m sorry I frightened you. But you know I couldn’t just leave those men behind. I am concerned that you will not be able to handle me being a soldier. Perhaps I should feel afraid about what happened but you know what? When that Troll snatched me up I never felt more alive,” he said without even a single tremor in his voice. Being with her for the first time...he actually trembled. He was near to terrified and yet, with the troll, he felt nothing, no fear, no terror just the exhilaration of trying to kill it before it killed him. He described that fight and how it had made him feel. She hadn’t moved though, just laid there on his chest and listened to him.

“However...what is clear is that I am not like my father nor my mother. What they did...who they are...I am just a shadow of that. I’m no hero, I’m just a man stupid enough not to give up or run. I know I was lucky but...apart of me wish i were more like they were. But I just know that I’m not,” he said though he never stopped kissing her neck, sucking on her earlobes or fondling her breasts and thighs in the warm water.

Calista made sure the tub was filled with hot water for Eldarion. She poured them each a glass of wine and then joined him in the tub. She used a sponge to wash away the dirt, grime, and sweat from his body. He then repositioned her so she was sitting in front of him. She leaned back against him as he held her and kissed her neck and earlobe. His words gave her pause. Would she actually be able to handle him being a soldier? It had been hard enough before they were married, but now...She listened as he told her about the fight. She could hear the excitement in his voice as he described in great detail what had happened. Hearing him tell her everything actually excited her too, which somewhat surprised her.

After a few moments of silence she spoke gently as he continued to suck on her earlobe.

"I will admit that I was quite upset the entire time you were gone. It was difficult for me to relax knowing where you were and what you were doing. I have heard enough about what is out there to know that it was extremely dangerous. However, I do not want to let my fears stand in your way. You are a great soldier Eldarion. You always have been. You have your father's strength and your mother's courage. I think you are far more like your parents than you realize. I don't think your parents consider themselves 'heroes'. They just did what needed to be done...like you did."

“How is it that you always seem to know the right thing to say?” He said with a smile as he slipped two fingers inside her and continued to kiss and suck on her neck. “I’m not sure how to explain it...that feeling,” Eldarion said as he began to shift his fingers so they moved in and out and rubbed up against the top of her delicate folds of pink flesh. He also worked her right nipple between two fingers. “I just didn’t think I just...acted, and that is what scares me now. I don’t want to lose what we have, you are my life, not the sword or the duty or the danger, just you, you are my adventure. I never stopped thinking about you while I was out there. Not once, I'm in love with you Calista,” he added then shifted to the other side of her neck though now his three middle fingers were inside her. Now that she was ready he adjusted himself then guided himself into her but only shifted his fingers so he could continue to rub on that spot while he slid deeply in between her pale thighs.

Calista closed her eyes and moaned as he slipped his fingers into her. She was aware that he was still talking, but she wasn't focused on that right now. All she was aware of was his fingers and the intense pleasure she was feeling. As he shifted and then guided himself into her, while keeping his fingers were they were she moaned loudly and began to tremble. She reached out and gripped the sides of the tub tightly.

The trust she always showed him always amazed him. She had said little in protest to the short notice of him going and almost as little, though the slap did hurt, about how late in returning he had been and how worried she was. A tough woman indeed he thought as he continued to talk though now he knew she was on the brink. Pressure both inside and his fingers without he wondered how long it would...and there it was...that’s what he wanted as she stiffened and moaned so loud it nearly echoed in the room. His smile nearly took up his whole face as he shifted his hands back to her hips under the water. She had just barely settled back onto him and then in amongst the settling throws of her orgasm his shifting into her and to the side made her stiffen again. “That sounded like it was a good one,” he whispered and then she felt his warm seed filling her as his arms enveloped her suddenly. The sounds he made were much softer than hers but they came to her ear as his strong arms only stiffened around her for a moment.

“I’m going to do that every night and every morning on our trip west, my love,” he said in a tone that would make her believe he would. “I can’t think of anything,” he said in between his almost silent gasps as a new wave of pleasure struck him. “I want more than to be alone with you for a few weeks,” he said then she felt his arms relax and he released her and settled back once more.

After, he slept for the rest of the day and most of the evening and night. He only woke for a moment to let her snuggle herself into his arms. He thought he heard her murmur “I love you,” then the soft rasp of sleep filled his ears. The next morning she would awaken to an empty bed. In place of his head was a Plum Violet, a very beautiful purple flower long thought to not exist anymore. Beneath it was something wrapped in white cloth. Unwrapping it she would discover an old, tattered book, titled, ‘A Treatise of the War of the Alliance’, Written by Ohtar, Esquire of Isildur.